Beech: Symbolism and characteristics of this decidious tree

The Majestic Beech!

Origins

The beech tree belongs to the family Fagaceae, with species native to Europe, Asia and North America. The scientific name for the European beech (the most common beech) is Fagus sylvatica : Fagus is the Latin name which means “a kind of oak”, and the epithet sylvatica means “growing in the woods.”

Characteristics

These trees can grow up to 40 meters and their lifespan can exceed 300 years. We can usually find them in mounts and mountains, as they require a huge amount of light and water.

One of the main features of the beech is its tall and slender trunk – and the greyish bark. The branches and the leaves grow horizontally, covering and protecting the small animals that use their nuts as food. Beeches produce a warm green light which eminates from their foliage.

Curiosities

Beech forests are a spectacle of nature, and it is quite an experience walking through one of them in autumn, when the leaves have turned brown and a thick carpet of crispy and fallen leaves rest under your feet. As these trees barely let the sunlight pass through, the landscape is a bit dark, giving the appearance of a mysterious fairy forest… In fact, in the Middle Ages it was known as the tree of the fairies, and it was believed that at nightfall this magical creatures drew a magic circle around the trunk of beech trees to sing and dance restlessly!

Symbolism

This tree is also related to study and knowledge, and long time ago students kept a piece of bark in order to succeed in their studies. It also invites to meditation allowing us to connect with our ancestors and their ancestral wisdom. Beech trees are believed to enhance creativity, and to pertain to wisdom and written word.

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Over the past four years we’ve worked to bring the Bios Urn to all the people in the world who wanted to use one. This list is a result of our hard work and dedication. Subscribe for more stories. Join the #lifeafterlife movement.

We just purchased a beech tree seed urn for my nephew. However we didn’t look into to make sure it was a native Arizona tree and it is not. Do you have a list of city’s or states where a Beeach Tree would best grow?

Hi Kim, the American Beech is native from eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States.